Former Arsenal trainee Ryan Kirby signed for Boro' in the 1996/7 season, the year after the club had won the Conference. Kirby was a consistent full back during his time at Broadhall Way and often filled in different roles.

He spent five years at the club before leaving in 2001 to join Aldershot Town. Although he started at Arsenal, he never made it into the first team and moved to Doncaster Rovers in 1994. He made 78 appearances in the two years he was at Belle Vue.

After leaving Donny in 1996 to sign for Preston, he failed to secure first team football and moved onto Crewe Alexandra, where opportunities were also found to be limited. Kirby then went on to sign for Wigan Athletic before joining Northampton Town.